Followers

Sunday, 13 July 2014

Marbled Mating.

After the deluge that hit these parts on Thursday and Friday it was good to get back on the Downs on Saturday. It seemed that the butterflies were trying to make up for lost time with quite a few butterflies getting down to the business of pairing up. Gatekeepers, Chalkhill Blues and Marbled Whites were all making the most of the dryer, hot and humid conditions.

One pair of Marbled White called for closer inspection as the female was much browner on its underwing than is usual and was, due to this, particularly attractive. I managed a few record shots before the pair climbed a sturdier bit of foliage and then stayed there for the duration of their mating. Apart from her unusual colouring she was also extremely fresh and had certainly only emerged that morning.

Mating Marbled White.

A pair of Chalkhill Blue was also found mating at the top of some grass. By now a little breeze had picked up which didn't help as they were blowing around so much.

Mating Chalkhill Blue.

Late afternoon I decided to head back up there just to see if I could relocate the female Marbled White. There was not actually much happening on the butterfly front due to the weather deteriating again and the wind picking right up again, a Dusky Sallow moth was a nice find however. I was about to give up when I spotted the female, that did stand out from the other Marbled Whites with her orangey/brown wings, as she flew across the meadow. She landed in some longish grass where she went to roost. In the poor light I did manage another shot of her, although the light did not show her off at her best.

About Me

I have been interested in most aspects of British wildlife since I was around 6 years old when I would watch animals and birds whilst I was fishing. At the age of 13 I was given my first serious camera by my parents, a Zenith B, and with this I would record what I saw. I still remember my first macro photo, an ichneumon wasp at Offham. In fact I still have the picture. Today, 47 years later, I still enjoy both observing and photographing nature, particularly insects with butterflies being my main targets but also dragonflies and moths. In the winter I do a bit more birding with my son Matt. I currently use a Nikon D810 with a Sigma 105mm macro lens. I have also recently purchased a D800 2nd hand which I am hoping will be good for bird photography which I use a 300mm f2.8 with tele converters. I also have a 300mm f4 which is much lighter and easy to carry around. I have found this lens pretty good for some larger butterflies, orchids and dragonflies.